Freedom Trail Part 5: Old North Church, Copp’s Burying Ground, and Charlestown Bridge

Past Paul Revere’s statue is the Old North Church, though the official name of Boston’s oldest surviving religious establishment dating to 1723 is really Christ Episcopal Church.

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The church is significant for its involvement in the American Revolution. In 1775, Paul Revere instructed three Boston patriots to hang two lanterns at its steeples to warn Charlestown patriots of the movements of the British Army.

The pictures I took of the church’s inside was taken later in the afternoon though as I backtracked my steps to return home. According to the Eyewitness Guide, the church’s chandeliers are special: they were brought from England in 1724 for the church’s first Christmas season.

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Leaving the church and continuing on the trail along Hull Street was Copp’s Hill Burying Ground on my right. This was a Boston cemetery founded in 1659, and is the second oldest cemetery after King’s Chapel’s (which I blogged about here in my posts of the trail).

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Leaving the Burying Grounds behind me, the trail continued along Hull Street, then a left along Commonwealth Street, then finally Charlestown Bridge. Before that though, I spotted a small plane flying circles around the Boston skyline flying this banner LOL:

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The first bridge at this site was opened in 1786, with changes made to it along the way through the century. The current version (below) was built in 1900.

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The bridge overlooks Charles River. The sky was terrifically cloudy at this juncture at just a minute after noon time. I spotted a small boat with a hobbyist fisherman who seemed ready to brave the coming rain.:)

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Lots of pleasure and weekend boats parked in Boston Inner Harbor.

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Quick video of Charles River and Charlestown Bridge:

My route of this segment of the trail:

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Yep it was a very long walk. The historical sites since the Old State House were gradually further apart, and the weather was no longer as inviting. One thing about these routes though was that I was determined to finish it at one go. Next post: Old Ironsides and a World War II Destroyer.:)